In the present world there is a particular boy still very young. conversing with others who would speak with him first.
"Hey Goodluck on the match kid." the man encourage the kid
"Y-yeah thanks"
the kid walk passed the man feeling down. this is not the first time he is being reassured. Since losing simultaneously is the reason for his fame around the town, as the boy who never won on any cockfighting match.
Some individual looks at him and mumbling behind his back, "Again, how many times is it already"
"I don't know, i stopped counting"
This feeling of isolation is not affecting him anymore. He just wants to go back and feed his rooster.
It was night, everyone is closing up the windows of their homes. Its not that fancy just a bamboo made windows that is supported by a stick. turning off the light. But the boy doesn't have a those privilege.
Taking shelter under a thick tree, banana leaves as the roof supported by bamboo stick and a cardboard bed. It is a cold night, fire place is already out. the boy was looking at the sky, besides him is a chicken sleeping on a tree branch and a worn out rope tied on its right leg.
"Tomorrow is going to be the day" He mumbles before going to sleep.
The next day afternoon, on the gamecock dome. people bet to earn. it is an illegal place where players brought their roosters and fight each other. this is the main place to hustle cash.
bird flapping, chanting crowd, taking money, having a heated argument between two players, this is not new to him as he walk passed them holding his chicken.
"Hey there he is again"
"Oh please, now that that boy is participating i already know who i should vote for."
"HAHAHAHA"
His just silently taking all that backstab as he goes to the receptionist.
"What now, did you stole that chicken too." says the receptionist
Of course the receptionist is doubtful, there's no way a boy could just raise a chick out in a slum.
No this was given to me by someone out of pity, but of course even if i say that the receptionist would just laugh me off and feel bad about me.
All those times i would have won if his rooster was on good conditions. All the roosters that he receive from that guy are defects over time. Injury, diseases, disability, some wont even survive the next day.
This time is different.
Now is the time for his match against someone. crowd are cheering for the enemy bets has already been placed. Few first time visitor bets for him not knowing his record. In an attempt to scam people, some even creates rumors that my roosters are always top notch and would always wins just to take their money.
While i haven't heard the bell i was thinking to myself.
This time is different, i just keep thinking about it.
this chick just suddenly come up to his place with no defects, at first he hesitated but this chicken stays with him and willing to raise his right let to get tied down by the ropes.
This chicken has every chance to get out of that leash, the ties wasn't even that hard to not hurt its leg and could even be torn if removed by force.
Almost like this chicken choose me to be its owner.
bell rang and both players dropped their roosters.
The moment the feet touch the ground my rooster suddenly charges forward and does an offensive attack the enemy chicken have enough time to block that charge with his talon colliding with my roosters blade.
the enemy rooster starts making barrage of fury slash but my rooster manage to evade it by flopping his wings and slide backwards while blinding the enemy rooster because of the smoke.
Everyone was shocked this has never happened before.
My rooster fighting like an experience warrior is controlling it. my rooster is not acting like a rooster at all.
enemy rooster charge forward and jumped high with his talons directly aiming at my roosters head. My rooster suddenly slides forward and rolled over to minimized the damage.
the crowd cant believe they are seeing this.
the enemy roosters then close the distance and starts unleashing barrage of furry slashes while staying mid air by flapping its wings. mine did the same but instead of offense, my rooster simultaneously blocking those continuous furry slashed with his blade.
Everyone starts screaming on the dome, everyone is thrill by this unexpected event. others started getting worried that their bet might loss and a large money might get taken from them.
Deep down i was very shocked seeing my chicken perform this unnatural moves. what am i witnessing, as i looked around everyone at the dome is cheering from me. It is very loud the screams might even be heard from the neighboring village.
i was think what if the police get involve with this but i was distracted when i heard the host mentions that the chicken has been hit.
As i look my rooster bit the enemy's head with his beak and holding it in place and stab the enemy tummy with his bladed talon. blood is seen dripping on the enemy rooster and the enemy player was more shocked than angry about it.
this should have been a easy fight for him that's why he is frozen still unable to grasp what is happening in front of him
While the enemy chicken is heavily injured and movement is declining my rooster release the beak and start performing continues furry slashes. each one is deeply cutting the enemy rooster, where an internal organ has already been seen.
As a finishing blow my rooster jump and punch the enemy with a close talon sending the enemy flying back while blood dripping traces is seen.
The enemy rooster is just dead. not even unable to battle, just dead.
An ordinary victory which should have been dull and should move on to the next match. became way too anticipated and taking a long time to wrap up.
Everyone in the crowd is celebrating my victory and rooster's display of shear strength and demeaner
i cannot contain my overwhelming excitement, this is the first time that i won, and not in a million years would i found out that my victory would make people look my way and praise me.
My heart is beating fast, my breathing is starting to thicken.
I'm starting to feel weak and my head is numb before i knew it i am already falling to the stage and onto the audience sit. i cant move my body and my vision is starting to worsen.
I knew beforehand that i am sick, i had this experience before but it always gets better every time i stop thinking so much. but i did think it would happen again and this time it is a lot worse than before.
I'm starting to lose my consciousness when i saw my blurry rooster holding on the rail and looking at me laying below with a sad look on his face.
I think to myself.
We won.